The story behind one of the longest running criminal defense law firms in Los Angeles county...

I began my legal mission to become the best criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles over 25 years ago. Immediately upon passing the California bar exam I opened up my own private criminal defense practice. I had the background of working for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (which gave me an idea from the prosecutor’s side of how they investigated and prosecuted cases). At that time, in the early 1990’s Ira Reiner lost the position of District Attorney of Los Angeles County to Gil Garcetti, whose son is now the Mayor of Los Angeles. It was interesting to see the political upheaval that followed when Mr. Garcetti took office and the lead up to Ira Reiner’s defeat. I also worked for a Los Angeles Superior Court judge as his research attorney in 1992 (which gave me a great prospective on how a judge decides a case and what will really matter to them in making their decisions. I basically strategized with the judge before he made his legal rulings. This behind the scenes look at the inner workings of the DA’s Office and the process of how a judge decides cases has served me well since the first time that I appeared in court to present day.Read More

Our Top-Rated Los Angeles sex crime lawyers have a track record of success defending clients against any type of state or federal sexual related offenses

When you have been defending clients charged with sex crimes cases for twenty five years, one would hope that you have some words of wisdom to impart to them. Of course the best words of wisdom are the ones you can give before a person finds themselves charged with a crime that can destroy their life. However, since I do not usually have that luxury, I will tell you what I can based on where you are at this point…now is the time to evaluate your life and make the decision to move forward in the right direction. You are now faced with a situation that literally can destroy every part of your life as you know it. The prosecutors and judges have no sympathy in this area of the law. They have serious political pressure on them from the legislature and the public to deal with these cases in the most vicious manner possible.

So at this point, my advice to you is to take your situation seriously and find an attorney that you can trust to defend your rights, reputation and freedom with every ounce of their legal abilities! You will only have one chance to defend yourself…so you better make it count! The prosecutor and judge will consider all the good things that you have done in your life in deciding how they deal with your case…it will be up you your attorney to present this information to them in the most favorable light. Further, they are going to look at the facts of the crime that you are charged with and decide what damage you have caused and what your penalties should be. I am willing to meet with you face to face and give you an honest assessment of your case and tell you what your chances are and what your next step should be.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE CONCERNED WITH AND DO IF YOU ARE CHARGED WITH A SEX CRIME IN LOS ANGELES?

There are a number of important concerns that people should consider that are charged with a sex crime in Los Angeles County. Three of the most important concerns relate to registering as a sex offender, the type of crime that will end up on the person’s record and going to jail or prison. These are all legitimate concerns and depending on the outcome of your criminal case can affect you for the rest of your life.

WILL I HAVE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER?

Arguably this is the most important concern for a person charged with a sex crime. If a person pleads to a crime that requires sex registration they will typically have to register with their local police department on their birthday for the rest of their life. Also, their picture and information will likely be placed on the Megan’s Law website. The rationale behind this is protection of the public. Authorities want to know where people are that commit crimes that can potential effect the community. There are a number of other significant ramifications that flow from the conviction of a sex offense that should be discussed at a face to face meeting with your attorney.

In defending these type of cases over the last 20+ years, this is one of the toughest negotiating points with the prosecutor. They almost always want the client to register as a sex offender and it is very difficult to convince them or the judge to not require a charge that requires sex registration. However, there are a number of strategies that can be employed by a seasoned Los Angeles criminal attorney that knows the court system to attempt to avoid this requirement.

WHAT TYPE OF CRIME WILL I HAVE TO PLEAD TO?

Many people do not realize that it is the crime that a person pleads guilty to that dictates whether or not they have to register as a sex offender. The prosecutors will look at a number of important factors when deciding what they believe a criminal defendant should plead guilty to and what the appropriate charges should be in a criminal case. A person’s conduct can trigger a number of possible crimes that they can be charged with. It is up to that persons attorney to figure out what the conduct triggers and what can be done to mitigate the situation down to a crime that is going to be the least damaging to that person’s reputation and record.

WILL I HAVE TO GO TO JAIL OR PRISON?

There are a number of important factors that are weighed by the prosecutor and judge in deciding whether they believe a person charged with a sex crime should go to jail or even prison. They will look at the person’s conduct in the present offense, their criminal record and their background. Certainly the type of life a person is leading is an indicator as to whether they will be a repeat offender or not. Their job, family situation and character will all come into play and it is up to their attorney to make the appropriate arguments and mount a defense that portrays their client in the most favorable light.

HOW DO PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES VIEW SEX CRIMES?

This is an important question because how a person views a particular crime or issue will influence the decisions they make related to the outcome of a case. In my 20 plus years of defending sex crimes in Los Angeles, it is clear to me that the key concern on both the prosecutor and judge’s mind is, “If I go too easy on this case, will it come back to haunt me in the future?” They therefore are very cautious about what they do and the position they take regarding the resolution of a sex crime case. Because of the political nature of these type of cases, when it comes right down to it, I have seen many judges and prosecutors make irrational and illogical choices related to how they deal with a sex case, simply because they did not want to put themselves in a position to be blamed for a person charged with a sex crime going free. Of course this is extremely unfair to a person charged with such a serious offense, but this is the reality attendant with a sex crime case.

With the harsh reality and political landscape that go hand and hand with a sex crime, it is essential that your attorney has experience with both sex crime defense and the particular jurisdiction your cases is pending. A great attorney in an arena they are not familiar with will not be nearly as effective as an attorney that is both skilled and local to the courthouse.

HOW DOES A SKILLED DEFENSE ATTORNEY HANDLE A SEX CRIME IN A JURY TRIAL IN LOS ANGELES?

There is a stigma that is attached to anyone charged with a sex crime…even if they are innocent! When I do jury trials, one of the key things I have to deal with from the beginning is that the jury already thinks my client is guilty before the case starts, just because he or she is charged with such a serious crime. I always confront these type of issues head on and ask the jurors if any of them believes that my client is guilty just because he is here in court and being charged…regardless of whether they have heard any of the evidence yet. I would say that almost 100% of the time, people raise their hands and say they think he or she is guilty.

Instead of being angry that the jury is judging my client before they hear any of the evidence, I take this built in prejudice and use it to my client’s advantage. It is at that point that I have the opportunity to educate them on how the system works and the fact that the my client is presumed innocent in the eyes of the law. I take it a step further and let them know that it is their duty to listen to all of the evidence before making any decisions. This gives me the opportunity to find out who we do not want on the jury and to make it crystal clear to the jury that if they were on trial or one of their loved ones, they would not want anyone on the jury that did not follow the law and was bias before the case starts. I also remind them that people are found not guilty all of the time. And, that people are wrongly accused of crimes everyday. Last, I let them know that in America we have the best system in the world, but that it does not work if the jurors do not follow the rules and make the prosecutor prove their case before jumping to the conclusion that someone is guilty without hearing all of the evidence.

ARE THERE SITUATIONS WHERE ALLEGED VICTIM’S STRAIGHT OUT LIE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT A SEX CRIME CASE?

Having litigated sex crimes for over two decades, I can tell you without a doubt that people lie to the police everyday about alleged sex crimes. There are numerous reasons that I see that will spawn a lie about a sex case – Just a few examples are – there is a divorce case pending or a custody battle and one side is trying to gain a tactical advantage over another, the alleged victim feels wronged by something the other party did or said (which would normally not be illegal) and they embellish what actually happen when they go to the police. One of the biggest single factors I see that causes an inaccurate or exaggerated story is when alcohol or drugs are involved. I have spoken to law enforcement officers on many occasions who have confirmed that in the process of investigating a particular case, they have come across evidence that clearly establishes that they are being lied to. The list of reasons that I have seen that people lie are endless. The thing that gets me is how the person just completely ignores the fact that they are placing a huge stigma around an innocence person’s neck that is extremely difficult to get off! This is something in my opinion that is unforgivable and must be guarded against at all costs. That is why it is so important to do your homework and make sure that you get the right attorney to represent you for your case.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY PRE-FILING IF YOU ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR A SEX CRIME IN LOS ANGELES?

Over the course of defending sex crimes for more than two decades, I have been asked this question countless times. Absolutely it is a great idea to hire a seasoned attorney if you suspect or find out that you are being investigated for a sex crime. The attorney can then act as a buffer between you and law enforcement. If the police attempt to talk to you, then you can refer them to the attorney and not risk incriminating yourself. I have seen statements that the police attribute to my clients, only to be told by my client they never said that or that the police have somehow twisted what they said in order to make it appear that they admitted something that they did not. Do not fall victim to this. With an attorney by your side and advising you, this risk is gone.

Further, your attorney can often times get to the bottom of what is going on through the police or prosecutors much more effectively than you can. This can give you peace of mind when your world seems to be crumbling. Experienced attorneys know exactly who to talk to and what to say in order to figure out where you stand in a criminal investigation. Another important thing that a skilled attorney can do is get your side of the story across to the prosecutors and police before a filing decision is made. The attorney will know what to focus on in order to make the biggest impact. Bottom line, with the potential for serious consequences, there is no question that having a powerful advocate on your side can make the difference between prison and freedom!

HOW IS BAIL HANDLED IN A LOS ANGELES SEX CRIME CASE?

Over the course of the past twenty five years of dealing with sex crime cases in Los Angeles County I have noticed that in recent years the prosecutors and judges mentalities and policies regarding these cases has become more and more extreme. Recently judges are setting unheard of bails for people charged with sex crimes. The legislature and appellant courts have basically given them free reign to stack bails based on the number of charges filed. Sex crimes are one of the few areas of criminal defense where this is permitted. Further, I am seeing clients post bail and then appearing for their arraignment and the prosecutors requesting the judge to raise the bail higher. Your best defense in a sex crime is to find a defense attorney that has been around the block and knows who to talk to and what to say to get you the result you need to save your reputation, freedom and career.

When you come and sit down with me for a face to face consultation, I will educate you on what factors the judge will look at regarding setting bail. We will discuss what you will need to do before the hearing to give you the best chance of not going back into custody. We will also assess whether your best strategy is to fight the case all the way or negotiate the case to a resolution that takes into account your life and the important things that you stand to lose with this type of charge / conviction hanging over you head. Clarity on how to proceed and what you can do to help yourself is a phone call away!

WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO WE BRING THAT CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR SEX CRIME IN ONE OF THE LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSES?

Our Sex Crime Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles have a combined 75 years of experience and our unmatched credentials in all of Los Angeles County, qualify us to defend your sex crime case competently and efficiently. We offer a free face to face consultation and we are here to hear your side of the story and do everything we can to get your charges completely dismissed or get you the minimal amount of penalties possible.

CREDENTIALS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN ALL OF THE MARBLES ARE ON THE LINE…

Deciding which Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to choose for your matter could mean the difference between incarceration and freedom. A wrong decision could literally ruin a person’s life. So below I give you some of the credentials that I believe set us apart from other law firms. The following are hard facts that few attorneys can match:

“One of the longest running criminal defense firms in Los Angeles�? - Established over 20 years ago, the Hedding Law Firm is one of the longest running and respected Law Firms in L.A.

Former Commissioner for the State Bar of California - related to Judicial Nominees Evaluation – Ronald Hedding was part of a 38 person commission tasked with evaluating potential judges for the Governor of California. As a State Bar of California JNE Commissioner Mr. Hedding investigated and rated many judicial candidates for the Governor and has gained much knowledge and respect as part of the process in selecting judges in the State of California.

Research Attorney for a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge - Early in his career Mr. Hedding worked directly for a Superior Court judge in Los Angeles County. He assisted the judge in researching cases that where pending in his court and in drafting rulings on motions. This experience gave him crucial incite regarding how the process of dealing with a case is handled from the inside.

Author of The Art of the Perfect Defense “Your Essential Guide to Criminal Defense in Los Angeles�? - a book written to provide useful practical information related to hiring an attorney in Los Angeles County and explaining the intricacies of L.A.s massive criminal court system.

Recognized by the Los Angeles Times among the Top 5% of Attorneys in L.A. - In the 2012 edition of the Los Angeles Times, Ronald D. Hedding was named one of the Top Rated Lawyers in Southern California.

Named to the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers - The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register is limited to only the most distinguished law practices; those that have achieved the AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. The “A�? signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the “V�? denotes “very high�? adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence.

Southern California Super Lawyers - named Mr. Hedding a rising star in 2005 in the practice field of Criminal Defense for Los Angeles County.

Presidential Pardon by George Bush - Tone of the few attorneys in the state of California to receive a pardon from a sitting president of the United States on behalf of one of his Los Angeles based clients.

Named Top 100 Trial Lawyers - In 2014 Mr. Hedding was named one of the top trial attorneys by the National Trial Lawyers. This honor sets him apart as one of the very best criminal defense attorneys.

Awarded 2014 Ten Best Attorneys Client Satisfaction Award - by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.

Nearly 25 years of litigating and learning about criminal cases - Mr. Hedding started his pursuit of being the best criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles nearly 25 years ago and has never looked back.

Respected member of the Association of Trial Lawyers for nearly 20 years - dedicated to the preservation of the adversary system, to trial by jury, to train in all fields and phases of advocacy, to advance the science of jurisprudence and to promote the administration of justice for the public good.

Superb Rating by AVVO - one of the highest rated attorneys in avvo both by clients and other attorneys nationwide.

Named Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year - by the Editorial Staff of the Consumer Business Review.

Worked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office - Over 20 years ago Mr. Hedding litigated cases on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office in the East Los Angeles Courthouse.

A+ Rating by the Better Business Bureau *Come and sit down for a face to face consultation with one of our experienced attorneys who have handled criminal matters all over the Nation. I will give you a straight forward assessment of your case and help you design a plan to deal with your criminal matter.

Case Results

No jail time in child pornography case

Not guilty verdict in attempted rape case

Lewd acts on a minor charges dismissed

Testimonials

“I found Ron here on this site and due to the other types of cases he was successful with, I chose him. He didn’t make a lot of promises on the phone and gave me a realistic impression of what I was in for, which was in contrast to some of the other shady characters I spoke with that promised me the moon. He made me feel confident that he would be able to get me the best possible outcome. Because of Ron’s reputation and YEARS of experience, he knows everyone at the DAs office and was able to get ahead of my case and get character reference letters to them before they filed the case. He was able to get the information I COULD NOT have gotten without him. because of him, my case was never filed, I avoided fees, court, embarrassment and a record. He’s as good as the rest of the reviews here say. He DID in fact, get the best possible outcome for me and I feel He was worth every penny, I don’t feel like I’ve been used, I feel I’ve been supported, respected, and properly represented. I’m staying anonymous, but this is a 100% REAL review with a real life scared as heck person, that got through this nightmare with Ron’s expertise and support.”

A Satisfied Client

RONALD HEDDING IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST!! I’m so thankful and appreciative to have a lawyer like Ron. I was ridiculously charged with attempted burglary. I was 22 at the time, bailed myself out; and was facing 6 months in county jail, 5 yrs probation, and an extensive amount of community service. I seen a video on Youtube from Mr. Hedding explaining a case similar to mine and I immediately contacted Mr Hedding. He is VERY reassuring and professional! He puts the extra effort forth for the best possible outcome!!!. He’s all about planing and executing. I was VERY UPSET with the legal system. However, My final outcome was a No contest to a Misdemeanor, with NO JAIL TIME, and expungement after 1 year of probation and proof of a C average in school..easy!.

Jose

Through a series of unfortunate events, a family member found himself under arrest and charged with a serious offense. We contacted Attorney Hedding to serve as defense counsel for the case. He immediately connected with our family member, provided advice regarding bail bond, and clearly explained the nature of the offense and range of penalties available to the District Attorney (DA). For the next six months, with impressive patience and strategy informed by his years of experience with the Los Angeles courts District Attorneys, Attorney Hedding negotiated the shortest sentence possible. We are deeply grateful for his professionalism and expertise in securing the optimal outcome during exceedingly stressful times for both the defendant and his family.

Eddie

I was in dire need of not only an experienced attorney. Seeking to reduce a felony to a misdemeanor for the simple fact that my future was hindered by this weight. During my consultation in an office the filled the walls with success cases, Mr Hedding gave me the assurance and confidence he’ll represent me to the fullest which led me to believe he certainly knew what he was doing. He was he able to get the Judge reduce this felony and expunge it as well! Doors that have been shut many times will now be opened for me. Ron, due to the nature of this felony I was a tad skeptic possibly expecting a rejection, however you came through for me and I can’t thank you enough. God bless you and your family.

Danny

My son had caught a very serious case of attempted murder. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Ron was able to dig deep into the case to find that he was able to prove that my son had not done anything to deserve what they were trying to give him. Ron spent endless hours, tons of dedication and patients in the case . He was ALWAYS available to speak with me about the case and kept us update to what was going on. Ron ended up getting my sons charges dropped to a much lesser charge, and he only did 7 months in county with 3 years probation. Ron is one of a kind and understands the importance of family. I would recommend Ron to anyone who is in need of a GREAT lawyer.